Swarthmore Labyrinth

Yesterday I met 2 friends in Swarthmore, PA to show them the labyrinth at The Swarthmore Presbyterian Church on Harvard Avenue. First we spent an hour or two at Pendle Hill (a Quaker Retreat & Study Center) but the rain kept us from walking the classical 7 circuit labyrinth. But we did have the opportunity to walk the grounds (with an umbrella) to see the gardens, art studio, library, barn, bookstore and main house.

Eventually we decided we were hunger so we headed to the "Ville" or downtown Swarthmore to grab lunch. Fortunately the skies decide to take a short break (but alas the humidity did not!) so we went to the Presbyterian Church to see their Memorial Labyrinth and Gardens. The weather cooperated so we walked the Medieval or Chartres pattern.

entrance to the labyrinth garden...
names of those memorialized are  posted on the far wall.

a closer look at the labyrinth

Walking this labyrinth brings back many memories. One such memory occurred 7 or 8 years ago as I was walking solo in the labyrinth. To the right of the gardens is a children's playground (not pictured) and a young girl (maybe 3 or 4) was playing on the equipment with her father. I could hear part of the conversation and lots of laughter. Then I heard the young girl ask her father "Daddy, why is that old lady walking around in circles?" I have no idea how he responded because I immediately began laughing out loud - I guess I became the crazy old lady walking around in circles!

a view of the labyrinth and gardens from the memorial wall.

The labyrinth is located in a hedged lined garden. The house in the background is the ABC Strath-Haven Boy's House. Tiombe, does the house bring back memories?!!

oh! if only this tree could talk a language I understood!

After our walk and before we headed to Occasionally Yours for lunch...we rested!

Mary Anne & Jupie

A Walk Through Winterthur

Today I took a walk through Winterthur. Winterthur is a local garden originally owned by Henry duPont. The estate and gardens are wonderful and include a quarry, a fairy garden, museum, gift shops and many miles of trails. I decided to travel off the beaten path and write a few short poems along the way. 

heading up hill...

Queen Anne's Lace

 Queen Anne's Lace

Fresh as the morning snow

You are more than a weed 

The Road Less Traveled

Clover in bloom

 Fresh green clover

Blossoming in the August heat

A sweet snack

Millstone floor in a gazebo

Round the millstone

Fairies dance

Awaiting the summer solstice

200+ year old Sycamore tree

 In the shade of the Sycamore

Heavy limbs supported by steel

Over 200 years of memories.

heavy limb supported by steel wires

I hope you enjoyed the stroll. For more information on the gardens visit www.winterthur.org

Future Olympic Rowers??

Washington College Crew Camp

Last week I ventured to Chestertown Maryland to see my daughter at Chesapeake Crew Camp. The rowing camp was part of Washington College's summer camp season and they rowed on the lovely Chester River. Washington College is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and is the Alma Mater of both of my parents and my Uncle Harold.

view from the road...

I traveled to Maryland with the air conditioner running (it was almost 100 degrees) and the CD playing shuffling through my choice of CD's - usually I am compromising with a 15 year old but alas I was in total control! Along the route I passed a lovely grass river which appeared to flow through the field.

the bees were busy pollinating

Then I happened upon a field of sunflowers - Van Gogh would have loved it!

Shiny, happy faces...

Next stop...downtown Chestertown -

Local hangout spot!

Driving through Chestertown and before I reached the College campus I noticed the Bluebird Tavern sign. I grew up with my father's stories of the Bluebird. Theta Chi's drinking and carrying on, hanging at the Tavern instead of studying etc. Oh! how I wished I wrote those stories down before my father passed on.

Support Crew

And yes, the younger siblings do always have to get dragged around. Bevyn's brother and his friend joined us. They do get tired of attending regatta's and sitting by the water especially when they would rather be in the water but they were troopers and the never complained or whined - even without a video game in sight!

Future Olympians

Well, camp is over and the girls are tired. Showers have been taken but the stories continue and now it is time to cheer on the US Olympians! Thanks Chestertown and Washington College - hope to see you next year!!

A Local Labyrinth Adventure

Today I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with my friend and talented harpist, Jupie and her hubby. After watching the last 15 minutes of the Tour de France (ouch..crashes and off the course in the last minute!) we headed out to her backyard where she has created a very powerful and creative labyrinth.

Her labyrinth has been lovingly created in a grove of trees using mulch. The path meanders around trees - in and out, out and in until you settle in the center.

From this angle it is difficult to see the path but once you begin walking the path reveals itself!

We then went to a neighboring park and they introduced me to a really cute labyrinth created by shrubbery and bricks. The small park in Thornbury Township Pennsylvania is an ode to the circle. The circular labyrinth, a circle of picnic tables, a cement circle with a hopscotch court painted on it and a wishing wheel. There was no signage concerning the labyrinth but it is a tranquil and quiet setting for centering.

Thornbury Township Labyrinth

And of course, it can't be all labyrinth's and centering. 2 over-sized Adirondack chairs provide a platform for fun, laughter, climbing and togetherness.

Some people never grow up!!

Finally, this Cherry tree is located by Jupie's labyrinth has a hollowed out spot. The space was created by woodpeckers (must be a great tasting tree!) and I think it would be a great space to yarn-bomb...more on that later.

my next yarn bomb??

I love discovering things in my own backyard.  So, what adventures await you in your backyard?

Birdhouse yarn bomb!

The birds are chirping, the yarn is bright...why not brighten up the day for a few friends and the birdies! I decided to yarn bomb a few birdhouses and then secretly leave them at the home of 2 dear friends and avid bird lovers.

finished bird houses!

This is what I started with...a pre-made birdhouse (I am NOT a carpenter...yet!) and 4 rolls of yarn (purchased for $1.00 each!).

Before...

And then they were bombed...front pieces were created with felt. For the house on the left I used green wool and felted it and the house on the right I used felt that I had purchased.

see the button!

Operation Yarn Bandit...drop off time!

getting ready to deliver!

So, I tipped toed to my friend Barbara's door - a yarn bomber does not want to be caught and I was doing this in broad daylight! And left the house by her front door...

goodbye birdhouse...enjoy your new home!

And then I drove over to my friend Chris' home. Her car was gone so I knew I was safe for a few minutes...and I left the bird house by her back door to await her return.

waiting...

Chris has a fence in her garden with several bird houses. I hope this one will be added to 'Bird House Row'!

P.S. I wasn't caught but Chris knew immediately who the yarn bandit was! Barb thought it was Chris so at least I fooled her for a few minutes.

Here and There - Connecting Across The Pond

On Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 10:00am until 11:30am, I will be at The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Delaware as I co-create a labyrinth walk with Linda Gordon.

The labyrinth will be walked simultaneously in Wilmington, DE and Devon, England as part of The Home and The World Creative Summit, a summit for creative artist and thinkers.

We will connect live via Skype with Environmental artist Linda Gordon (for more information on Linda's work visit Linda Gordon's website).

Here are a few samples of her inspirational work...

Photo property of Linda Gordon.

Photo property of Linda Gordon.

For more information on the Summit visit Aune Head Arts.

Walk is outdoors and at the mercy of the elements...in the event of heavy rain we will connect via Skype but we may not walk! Join me if you can...

Coming To The Table Gathering Richmond Hill, Virginia

In March I had the opportunity to join a group of descendants of slaves, slave owners and slave traders at The Coming to the Table (www.comingtothetable.org) conference. Coming to the Table (CTTT) is an organization that "provides leadership, resources and a supportive environment for all who wish to acknowledge and heal wounds from racism that is rooted in the United States’ history of slavery." The weekend was filled with tears, stories, connections, awareness and friendship (newly formed and reconnections).

Cupola 

The conference was held in the sacred space of Richmond Hill Virginia. Richmond Hill (RH) is "an ecumenical retreat center based on prayer, healing, hospitality and reconciliation."  The retreat center is distinctively Christian, but welcomes people of other faiths who chose to worship there. Richmond Hill houses a full-time residential community that supports the operation of the retreat center. One special feature I enjoyed was the rhythm of prayer at RH - prayer or silence is expected 3 times a day for 15 minutes (7am, 12 noon and 6 pm). I welcomed the ringing of the bells as an opportunity in reflect and spiral inwards towards prayer and contemplation.

The Labyrinth

Of course, I was thrilled to find out they have a beautiful labyrinth. I walked the path several times during the weekend including early morning as the sun was rising and late at night with the City of Richmond lights illuminating the path.

Basketball Anyone?

And remember...it's not all work/prayer and no play! I loved the basketball hoop especially since Play and Leisure have been my field of study!

Cupola and view of Richmond

The Cupola sits alone on top of the retreat center and overlooks the City of Richmond. With windows on all 4 sides, a table to hold my morning coffee and cushioned chairs to support me, the cupola offered a special space to sit, meditate and write. I wrote the following poetry sketch in the comfort of the cupola.

Growing Into Oneself

Growing up

Growing older

Growing into oneself

How does one grow into oneself?

Why is it so painful?

Is the pain caused by the expansion of oneself?

Does this leave room for more?

More understanding...

More love...

More pain...

More compassion...

Arm's open

Christ on the cross

Acceptance and love

Speak less - listen and love more.

fuzzy photo from the garden!

Stay tuned for more on this amazing journey with CTTT...and think about joining me in Richmond Hill in August for an overnight retreat!

Rock Yarn Bomb in Wilmington, DE

(corner of Green Hill & Pennsylvania Ave)

finished rock!

There once was a displaced rock that waited to be reconnected with her wall....

Spring had sprung and the flowers were blooming...

felted flowers with button centers

Then one day someone came to visit the rock and wrapped it with warm felted wool (it does get chilly in the evenings during springtime), embellished with a crocheted vines and flowers and returned it to its home on the wall...

Now the rock is warm and safe and hopefully is bringing a smile to weary commuters faces as they travel to and from work and school in downtown Wilmington!

view from across the 4 lanes of Pennsylvania Ave.

If you happen to drive by....stop to visit the gardens at Gibraltar and the gardens at University of Delaware, Wilmington campus (both are located at this corner of Pennsylvania Ave & Green Hill Road). 

Yarn bombing a cup of coffee...

Have I lost my mind?

Actually, my dear friend Robyn (www.rainbowweaves.blogspot.com) was offering up a "Queen of Hearts" challenge and I wondered how I could incorporate yarn and a Valentine's gift. This is what I came up with...

A coffee cozy with LOMA Cafe coffee!

I decided to create a coffee cozy by knitting a rectangle, sewing a crocheted chain into the shape of a heart and then whip stitching it into a tube shape.

before I sewed up the cozy!

Then I added a cup of delicious LOMA Cafe coffee and gave it away to a man on the street as I wished him a Happy Valentine's Day. It is sometimes nice to give your heart away!

Wishing everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

A Desire For Spring...

This weekends beautiful dusting of snow has melted and left behind freezing temperatures and blustery winds. So this week I decided to add a little color and thoughts of spring in my 'yarn bomb' by adding flowers.

Yarn bomb in Wilmington, DE

I knitted a band to wrap around a tree just off the parking lot of WYRA (Wilmington Youth Rowing Association) where my daughter, Kelly, rows crew.

Christina River

The boat house host the WYRA crew teams (novice & varsity), University of Delaware Crew and St. Marks crew team....needless to say, it is a busy place!

Boat house parking lot

A parting shot of the empty dock...too cold to go out on the river but spring season is a few weeks away!

View of the floating dock...waiting for warmer weather!

Yarn-bombing Meters On Market Street!

Yarn-bombing!!!

Today I had the opportunity to 'yarn-bomb' for the first time. I spent time last week knitting the 'bomb' and I decided to attach it today (I figured everyone would be getting ready for the Super Bowl and the meters are free on Sun.)...with my 14 year old daughter, Kelly, as look-out.

Finished pieces before installation.

I yarn-bombed 2 parking meters in Wilmington. There has been a recent brouhaha concerning parking in the City of Wilmington (see www.wilmingtonparking.blogspot.com) and I have had several 'run in's' with the meter men. In one situation the man was downright rude – but I would hate his job so I decided to try to brighten their day instead.

First Meter Completed!

So tomorrow morning, if you are on Market St (in front of Film Bros. & Bloomsbury Flowers – 205 & 207 N. Market) stop by, see if they are still there, get a cup of coffee at LOMA and see if the meter men & women are smiling!!

Second Meter

Hummmm....what should I Yarn-bomb next?

Caught in the act!!!